Slow Motion Videos of Runners at the 2012 US Olympic Trials: 1500 and 5000 Meter Women’s and Men’s Races

While you watch the videos, which Jeff originally posted on his clinic’s blog, keep an eye on the landing position of the foot relative to the knee at initial ground contact – it almost always lands right under the knee in each runner. Elites like these have long strides to attain the speeds that they do, but stride length comes via hip extension on the back side, and not via reaching with the foot out front. This is one of the biggest differences that I consistently see when comparing runners like these to recreational runners in heavily cushioned shoes (like many runners in this video).

First, here is the women’s 1500 meter final, about which Jeff says “Of all the athletes I saw run at the Olympic Trials, Morgan Uceny was an example of exceptional form and running economy.”:

This post was authored by Peter Larson. Pete is a recovering academic who currently works as an exercise physiologist, running coach, and writer. He's also a father of three and a fanatical runner with a bit of a shoe obsession. In addition to writing and editing this site, he is co-author of the book Tread Lightly, and writes a personal blog called The Blogologist. Follow Pete on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and via email.

What really struck me from these videos was that running really is a series of one legged hops or jumps, repeated. I think I have that concept on my mind from one of your other recent posts or from Tread Lightly. Thanks for the great work.

To extend what Mike said, i thinks its worth noting that the majority of them still extend their foot out well past the knee during the flight phase (some more than others), but all have drawn the foot back to be under the knee when they actually contact the ground.

Im already sold that i need to land with my foot under my knee, and i tend to try and achieve that using the que that i should shorten my step out the front, ie land closer to my body.

I cant help but wonder if the que to ‘drawback’ wouldnt also help achieve the desired landing. Must give it a try.

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